Tagging of Laboratory Mice with Microtransponders

描述(申请人提供)：本项目的目的是开发一种新型的跟踪实验室老鼠的RFID标签系统。它是基于PharmaSeq激光光能微型应答器。它的主要优势是体积小(500 5m X 500 5m X 100 5m)，整体(一个部分)设计，惰性(硅基)，非常低的成本。不需要对小鼠进行麻醉。该系统将由标签本身、标签读取器和插入设备组成。微型应答器将使用插入装置植入小鼠的耳朵或尾巴的皮肤下。为了读取ID，从而识别动物，操作员只需将ID读取器带到植入的微型应答器附近，ID就会自动获取到计算机工作站上。该软件将把从特定老鼠身上植入的MTP的ID与其在实验过程和/或育种历史中所扮演的角色相关的数据联系起来。主要目标是：(1)设计和建造系统；(2)提高阅读器的灵敏度，使其更容易读取皮下植入的微应答器的ID。计划进行几项改进，包括将更强大的激光集成到阅读器中，改进身份识别算法，优化阅读器的拾取线圈天线；(3)开发微型应答器注射器；(4)配置工作站，将棒稳定在灵活的手臂上，从而解放操作员的双手来操纵鼠标和注射微型应答器；以及(5)进行初步的生物兼容性研究，并在不同的实验室测试该系统。该系统的使用将提高实验对象跟踪的可靠性，降低成本，并防止因不可读标记和标签丢失而导致的返工等代价高昂的错误。公共卫生相关性：实验室小鼠在基础研究中发挥着强大的作用，在哺乳动物遗传和生物医学研究中也发挥着关键作用。它们被普遍认为是分析和理解遗传性人类疾病的主要模型。新的PharmaSeq系统有可能极大地增加实验室小鼠的RFID标签的使用，甚至可能导致这项新技术的普遍采用，作为一种通用标签系统，可以在动物整个有用的生命周期内跟踪动物的繁殖过程。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The purpose of the present project is to develop a new type of RFID tagging system for tracking laboratory mice. It is based on the PharmaSeq laser light-powered microtransponder. Its major advantages are its small size (500 5m x 500 5m x 100 5m), monolithic (one part) design, inertness (silica-based), and very low cost. No anesthetization of the mice will be required. The system will consist of the tag itself, the tag reader, and an insertion device. The microtranponders will be implanted using the insertion device in the mouse's ear or tail just under the skin. To read the ID, thus identifying the animal, the operator will simply bring the ID reader to within the immediate proximity of the implanted microtransponder and the ID will be acquired automatically onto the computer workstation. The software will associate the ID of the implanted MTP from a particular mouse with data related to its role in experimental procedures and/or breeding history. The main goals are to: (1) Design and build the system; (2) Improve the sensitivity of the reader so that it is easier to read the IDs of microtransponders implanted under the skin. Several enhancements are planned, including integrating a more powerful laser into the reader, improvements to the ID detection algorithm, and optimization of the reader's pickup coil antenna; (3) Develop a microtransponder injector; (4) Configure a workstation to stabilize the wand on a flexible arm, freeing both of the operator's hands to manipulate the mouse and inject microtransponders; and (5) Conduct an initial biocompatibility study and test the system in different laboratories. Use of the system will improve the reliability of tracking of experimental subjects, lower costs, and prevent costly errors including rework due do unreadable markings and lost labels. PUBLIC HEALTH RELEVANCE: Laboratory mice play a powerful role in basic research and a key role in mammalian genetic and biomedical research. They are universally accepted as the primary model for analyzing and understanding inherited human disorders. The new PharmaSeq system has the potential to greatly increase the use of RFID tags in laboratory mice, or even to lead to the general adoption of this new technology as a universal tagging system that can track animals from breeding through their entire useful lifetime.